Episode 6: Travis

TravisAge: 20’sLocation: Los AngelesAddicted to: MethWhat’s memorable: The scenes of getting him to go to treatment.

Official synopsis: An addiction to crystal meth threatens the life of Travis, a former rock ‘n’ roll star. Can his girlfriend and family get him into treatment before it’s too late?Original Air Date: April 2005

18 Responses to “Episode 6: Travis”

Sometimes this show makes me so sad, I can’t stand it. (Yet I have to watch it anyway.) I just saw this episode for the first time, and it’s really too bad that it was a double episode because I don’t think they really were able to cover enough with Travis’s story. I’m from Kentucky, and when Days of the New came out, they were HUGE. I forgot about them as a band until I saw this episode yesterday, and while I kind of knew the backstory to why they broke up, I had no idea that Travis’s addiction was so terrible. He is truly tormented by his demons, and he’s thoughtful and introspective, and it breaks my heart to think that he was SO young when the band became an overnight sensation, and how misguided he probably was, being a 17 year old and then suddenly you’re opening for Metallica. I’m not in the music industry, but I’ve seen enough of my favorite bands from the 90s succumb to the same tragedies (like Alice in Chains, which is mentioned in the article above.) It’s interesting that you never actually SEE Travis use in this episode, but of course he is because of the way he’s scratching himself, and also it being common knowledge that he’s a drug addict. Anyway, I listened to a couple of their songs yesterday and it took me back to 6th grade, when I was a lonely, depressed pre-teen and music was one of the only things that made made me happy. I said a little prayer for Travis.

Jordy, your comment got me curious because I do not recall this episode at all (maybe because it was a 2 in 1). I googled it & I totally recalled the song. But looking back, they sounded like every other band back then – not to take away from the talent, but seriously…
Last I could locate was from the article linked. The band (or a new version of it) tried to perform with Travis despite being warmed/concerned, and they formally disbanded as a result. This doesn’t bode well for his sobriety. But who doesn’t love an underdog?

I watched this episode again last week. I forgot about the mom backing out of the intervention at the last minute. Wow! Although her excuse was mainly about her “furnace” not working that morning (of all days) I thought it was lame. I would have rather not say anything…IMO.